Lake floorboard

[RAM1964]

Took in truck for windshield replacement, when tech leaned in pass side to cut some sealant out he put a knee down and was soaked, removed carpet as best we could and water ran out of the door. Two days drying with fan in sun got it done well anyway he thought it may have been lack of sealant where they put the roof together, you only see when windscreen is out, he's had a few to fix on our newer rams but alas it wasn't my problem, I had leaking cab light so all after a big rain and drive in it go put your hand on the carpet over there as wife never noticed nor I but it was already getting mold smell. There is a foam rubber 1" PAD THAT DOUBLES AS A SPONGE so just check it once in a while, I never would have noticed till I got black mold up the Windows.

 

[JLandry]

Hey Ram1964,

Sorry to hear about the wet mess in your truck.

Can you please fill out your signature and profile so we'll know the details about your truck?

Thanks,

John L.

 

[RAM1964]

Ok done John... but now how to get it to show up? When I was w1964b with my 2nd gen truck had same issue talked with Robyn Patterson and I just. Never had it show up so maybe some help here would be appreciated greatly. Thanks Wade

 

[RAM1964]

Wow it worked I'm a genius Yippee!!!

 

[JLandry]

You sig looks good Wade.

After some particularly torrential rains out on the WA coast last September, I discovered soaked carpeting and padding on the front passenger floorboard of my 2001. After draining it, I lifted up the carpet and stuck my wife's blowdryer under there for many hours over several dry days and finally managed to get it dry. Luckily I caught it quickly enough so mildew wasn't able to take hold.

I initially assumed it had to be leaking cab clearance lights (a classic), but by careful investigating I traced the source to the third brake light at the top back of the cab. While parked during all this rain the truck was ever so slightly leaning toward the passenger side. As water dripped from the third brake light, it was caught in a groove formed by the headliner, ran toward the right, then down to passenger side rear corner of the cab. From there the water ran forward to the front passenger compartment soaking the carpet and padding all along the way. When I discovered it, there must've been a gallon or more of water in the floorboard.

A new third brake light and gasket eliminated the leak.

John L.

 

[RAM1964]

Wow it worked I'm a genius Yippee!!!

 

[RAM1964]

Hey now john I did think of that as I had a guru on this site 8-10yrs ago Joe George who gave me knowledge of my 95 Cummins that I never new existed, he had me adjusting bands, throttle position sensor R&R, changing my vacuum pump. Anyway I always read his threads and I remember one saying check third light on someone else's truck so I did check my back floor cuz that can and sometimes is the culprit.

 

[RAM1964]

Going on 8mos and still cannot find where water is coming from, I even went gonzo with a 1/2 tube of clear caulk in a gun, not handheld tube, sealed every possible place including rear window, roof antenna for gps, third brake light including screws, pulled up seam flap and filled that area also and yep, you guessed it still water top right rear corner soaked every rain. Already ruled out door seal because it wouldn't get my headliner soaked. Do I have to torch this sinking boat and let the insurance fairy come to visit? I'm at wit's end with this problem
Should I go and purchase all brand new seals as in two instead of one, cover, screws for third brake light. Please help

 

[Missouri Mule]

I would use one seal and put blue goo on it. Use a water hose and water the areas where you think the water is coming in then check the floor.
When my Mule had a wet floor(front passenger side) I used a shop vac on the carpet (front passenger side) no mold or mildew yet ( and I fixed the problem of the water getting in).

 

[DonFitzwater]

Did you say your headliner gets soaked during every rain storm? Do you have a sun roof?

 

[HorseMan-AR]

If you have a sunroof, in the front corners, there are two little drain tubes...sometimes those are not connected well at factory. Easy fix, but the tell-tell indication is water dripping out of the front grab handles (those little pucks that cover the bolt holes). Mentioned several times over on Cummins Forum. Just a thought.

 

[Sticks]

If you have a shop vac that you can turn into a blower, set it up so you are effectively pressurizing the cab (this will take some creativity through a window or firewall). Then use a high dish soap/water concentration and start spraying the cab. Where you see bubbles forming - there's your leak.

 

[wyosteve]

Even though this sounds far fetched, it seems to me a few years ago guys were having similar issues and it turned out to be the center mounted rear brake light. The one in the middle on the back of the cab. It wasn't sealed properly. Wouldn't take long to check/seal that.

 

[JLandry]

Should I go and purchase all brand new seals as in two instead of one, cover, screws for third brake light. Please help

It sounds like you've sealed everything... EXCEPT... you haven't actually replaced the third brake light housing itself. I'm wondering if one of the seams in the plastic third brake light housing could be the culprit. I think at this point I'd completely replace the third brake light and seal with a brand new one from Mopar (not a cheap knockoff).

John L.

 

[RAM1964]

I've kinda been leaning that way John and I appreciate your input and believe that this is and has been from the beginning my problem I just needed someone to push me over the hump, as I've said, I've done everything humanly possible to rectify this. Thanks wade

 

[DClark]

It would take a mighty big tube of sealant to fix the leak I had once. I loaned my '98.5 to my son and daughter-in-law to pull our boat to the river with. He was in the boat and she was moving the truck out of the ramp. river was low so they had to back down further then usual and the ramp was mossy and slippery. She went to pull out and the truck just spun and slid backward. She didn't have presence of mind to pull it into 4X4. Before she got it stopped the back of the cab floor was under water. When I got it home I pulled out the seats and all the floor carpeting and hung they up to dry for a day or two. Life can throw you some interesting curves.
DClark